HS GOLF: MCS’ Houston inks with Midland College

Published 4:14 pm, Friday, May 8, 2015

Coleman Houston has gone from shooting in the 90s as a freshman to signing with one of the premier junior college golf programs in the country.

On Friday morning, the Midland Christian senior decided he would stay home and sign a letter-of-intent to play for coach Delnor Poss and the Midland College golf program next year.

Considering that the Chaparrals are making their 28th straight appearance at the NJCAA National Tournament next week in Newton, Kansas, and have won four national championships, Houston said it was a fairly easy decision.

“They have an excellent program, one of the best junior college programs in the nation,” Houston said. “I’m more than happy to play for them. Coach Poss is a great coach and a great guy and I’m lucky to be a part of their program.”

Houston just finished a pretty good high school career with the Mustangs as he was an all-district performer all three years on the varsity and was a two-time all-region pick as well. This past season, he was a steady performer on the golf course for the Mustangs, who finished fifth at the TAPPS 4A State Tournament. He even showed his great integrity at state when he signed an incorrect scorecard by mistake, noticed it and brought it to the tournament director’s attention.

“Coleman is an exceptional young man,” Midland Christian coach Cooper Schoolcraft said. “I’ve known him since he was in junior high and I’ve gotten to watch him grow up. We’re very excited and thrilled he’s going to get the opportunity to continue his golf career. He’s put in a lot of work over the years. To have a young man who’s not only very gifted as an athlete, but one who has exceptional character like Coleman does, to see them excel and to see him have the opportunity to go to the next level is an incredible and wonderful thing.”

Schoolcraft has also noticed how far Houston has come on the golf course.

“From what I’ve been told, when he was freshman he struggled to break 90,” he said. “He became very motivated and very dedicated to his golf game and to improving. To go from a player who was shooting in the 90s to being one that’s shooting rounds below par is a tribute to his work ethic and to how much he wants succeed in the sport.”

That improvement certainly caught the eye of Poss, the Hall of Fame coach of the Chaps.

“He started playing golf a little later than most golf athletes do but has made significant improvement and is a very hard worker and has the technical skills to keep improving as a player,” Poss said. “He comes from a strong golf environment. His dad (Rick) is a former city champion, so there’s a good background there. We’re looking forward to having him. We’ve had some really good Midland players in the last few years and we hope to continue this trend.”

Houston said he hopes he can have a good career at MC, get a good education and maybe move on to a four-year school.

“I’m just happy to be part of the program, an excellent program. I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.